MONTGOMERY, Ala. Governor Bob Riley signed a proclamation on March 21 declaring April 2008 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Governor’s action builds upon the mission of the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/The Children’s Trust Fund to call upon all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in strengthening families, thereby preventing child abuse and supporting the communities in which we live.

The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/The Children’s Trust Fund is designated as the State Chapter for Prevent Child Abuse America.

Pinwheels for Prevention is the grassroots signature campaign for PCA America and its 43 chapters nationwide.

The nationwide movement is bringing the belief in prevention to life in a number of ways in communities throughout the nation and Alabama.

The movement is based on the principle that peoplemust do more than simply respond to cases of abuse through prosecution and intervention – they need to provide programs and policies that focus on the child development process, engage communities and create conditions that allow parents to be the kinds of parents they want to be.

The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/The Children’s Trust Fund supports more than 223 statewide child abuse and neglect prevention programs, funding more than 165 organizations across Alabama.

A recent study conducted by the University of Alabama calculates the total economic impact of child abuse and neglect in Alabama are over $520,000,000 annually.

Data concluded child abuse and neglect prevention programs significantly reduce human and economic expenses.

Marian Loftin, Director of Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/The Children’s Trust Fund, stated that “These pinwheels graphically proclaim the good news that child abuse and neglect CAN be prevented. Most parents love their children and do not intend to abuse them.

“The abuse and neglect occurs instead through lack of knowledge or the inability to control emotions.

“By providing community resources to strengthen families, together we can dramatically decrease the occurrence of child abuse and neglect of Alabama’s children”.